Random Thoughts from the Passionate Sports Fan's Mind VI

Pitchers and Catchers have officially reported! Welcome to Baseball season!

Words of caution: Do NOT pencil in a Boston/Phillies World Series. Championships aren't won on paper. Also, do NOT count the Yankees out despite their pitching woes.

The NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement expires March 4.

Fans: DON'T PANIC if a deal isn't signed by then. It won't affect the draft, and it won't affect any games unless the lockout extends into training camp. If that happens, THEN you may panic.

Last week's Penguins/Islanders game may have been the ugliest in NHL history.

If you read Mario Lemieux's complaints about the lieniency of the suspensions handed out to the culpable Islander players, 66 should think about this: get your superstar player roommate healthy, because losing Evgeni Malkin for the season may have crippled your team's Cup hopes.

Albert Pujols' deadline for the Cardinals to sign him to a new deal has passed.

Unless he takes a hometown discount to remain in St. Louis beyond this season, don't expect him back next year, Redbird Nation. But it will NOT cripple the franchise if it does happen.

If you think the Madoff/Wilpon situation won't affect the Mets operations, think again.

Guess what? David Wright is correct. If the Wilpons lose millions in this impending lawsuit, who is paying the players?

Non-Sports thought of the week (actually, two of them this time)

After taking your wife or girlfriend out for Valentine's Day, I hope your card went something like this: "Honey, thank you for tolerating my absence the last 21 Sundays."

Plus, I normally could care less about the Grammys, but kudos to the academy by choosing Arcade Fire, the best band of the 21st century not named Radiohead (more on them soon...) and their album "The Suburbs" on winning Album of the Year over less talented corporate artists like Lady Gaga and her egg and Katy Perry. Oh, and for shutting out Justin Bieber! And to all music lovers everywhere: Radiohead's new album, The King of Limbs, is released digitally this Saturday!!!!!!!!

Previewing the Two Biggest Games of the NFL Season.

Steelers v Ravens, Sunday Night.

Quarterbacks
PIT: Big Ben's numbers since the end of his suspension have been typical of his career, but he needs to get rid of the ball quicker against the relentless Baltimore pass rush, especially with a bad foot.
BAL: Joe Flacco has yet to take the next step toward superstardom, but a huge performance will go a long way.
Advantage: Steelers

Running Backs
PIT: Rashard Mendenhall has had a breakout season, but the Steelers' overall run game has been inconsistent at times.
BAL: Ray Rice is Mr. Consistency, and Willis McGahee and Le'Ron McLain will tough out the short-yardage situations.
Advantage: Ravens

Wide Recievers
PIT: Hines Ward is banged up, and they may have to rely on a big play by Mike Wallace to have a chance to win this one.
BAL: The big three of Anquan Boldin, T.J. Houshmanzadeh, and Derrick Mason have been inconsistent at times, but Boldin can run off a big play at any moment.
Advantage: EVEN

Tight Ends
Heath Miller and Todd Heap are mirror images of each other. Expect key roles from both players for their teams Sunday night.
Advantage: EVEN

Offensive Line
PIT: They are missing three starters, and needs to stop taking careless penalties.
BAL: Michael Oher is banged up, but is more trustworthy and healthy.
Advantage: Ravens

Defensive Line
PIT: They really miss Aaron Smith, but Lawrence Timmons and Lamarr Woodley are as feared as anyone in the game.
BAL: Haloti Ngata is one of the most underrated defensive tackles in the league.
Advantage: Steelers

Linebackers
PIT: James Harrison apparently could care less about being fined for helmet-to-helmet hits, and Sunday should be no exception. James Farrior is still a force at age 36.
BAL: He may be on the downside of his career, but Ray Lewis is still as feared as ever.
Advantage: EVEN

Defensive Backs
PIT: Major weakness at the corners. William Gay should not be on an NFL roster. But the long-haired one still patrols the backfield.
BAL: Ray-Ray may be the spiritual leader of the Baltimore D, but Ed Reed is the quarterback.
Advantage: Ravens

Coaches
PIT: Mike Tomlin's team has shown a lack of discipline in the second half of games, especially with dumb penalties and a lack of killer instinct. They will need both if they have a lead late Sunday night.
BAL: John Harbaugh sometimes does not get the credit he deserves. All the Ravens have done under his tutelige is win.
Advantage: Steelers

Prediction: Steelers 13, Ravens 10.


Jets v Patriots, Monday Night.

Quarterbacks
NYJ: Mark Sanchez is maturing week by week and is showing remarkable poise when faced with adversity. Monday could be a defining moment in his career.
NE: Tom Brady is the NFL MVP at this point of the season.
Advantage: Patriots

Running Backs
NYJ: L.T.'s renaissance has made folks forget a disappointing season from Shonn Greene.
NE: Ben-Jarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead are capable, but nothing to write home about.
Advantage: Jets

Wide Recievers
NYJ: Jerricho Cotchery is banged up, but Santonio Holmes can always be counted on in crunch time.
NE: Deion Branch has resurrected his career back with the Pats and Brady, and Wes Welker is the most dangerous slot reciever there is.
Advantage: EVEN

Tight Ends
NYJ: Dustin Keller is one of the most underrated TE's in the game. He is Mr. Dependable for Mark Sanchez.
NE: Despite a great game in Pittsburgh, what else has Rob Gronkowski done?
Advantage: Jets

Offensive Line
NYJ: Nick Mangold and D'Brickashaw Ferguson are studs.
NE: Virtually a no-name line, but will protect Brady 100% every single play.
Advantage: Patriots

Defensive Line
NYJ: Shaun Ellis and Vernon Gholston can overpower anyone at any time.
NE: Vince Wilfork is an excellent player, but nothing to write home about besides that.
Advantage: Jets

Linebackers
NYJ: David Harris, Bart Scott, Jason Taylor, and Calvin Pace. 'Nuff Said.
NE: Quick! Name a Patriot linebacker!
Advantage: Jets

Defensive Backs
NYJ: We all know about Revis Island, but how about the year Antonio Cromartie has had for Gang Green? Oh yeah, Jim Leonhard is a very underrated player, and Kyle Wilson looks like the real deal.
NE: One of the worst secondaries in the league, and could be a massive liability come playoff time.
Advantage: Jets

Coaches
NYJ: Don't be surprised if Rex Ryan pulls a page out of Broadway Joe's book and guarantees victory Monday. So far, his team has backed up nearly all of his talk.
NE: Bill Belichick is still Bill Belichick. You know he wants to destroy his opponent this week. When he is angry, watch out.
Advantage: Patriots

Prediction: Patriots 27, Jets 20

Picks for Week 13 (3-1 last week, 12-12 overall)
KC -8 over Den
NO -7 over Cin
Stl -2 over ARI
ATL -3 over TB

Random Thoughts from the Passionate Sports Fan's Mind II

Michael Vick accounts for 6 TD's (and 57!!!!! Yahoo Fantasy Points) in Monday night's 59-28 demolition of the Redskins.
But don't even think about voting him the NFL MVP. Also, I pose this question to Anti-Vick Eagles fans: if he wins you a Super Bowl in February, what will you think of him then?

A young New York Jets fan, 8, is tackled by a drunken Browns fan after New York's 26-20 overtime victory in Cleveland.
Let's pray something like this never happens again. God forbid this defenseless young man died in a melee in the parking lot over a football game.

Lebron James nominated for Time's Person of the Year.
Great! Maybe I could be nominated for taking my talents to South Beach while waving a sign that says WHO CARES?

The AL Cy Young winner is announced on Thursday.
Felix Hernandez does NOT deserve to win this award. CC Sabathia does. Call me a Yankee homer all you want, but Sabathia won 20 games, and effectively held the fort for a contending team while Andy Pettitte was injured, A.J. Burnett turned into Kei Igawa, Javier Vazquez was banished to the bullpen (again), and a revolving door of 5th starters put forth whatever they could. Having a miniscule ERA and astronomical strikeout total is nice, but a 13-12 record? It's a mockery of the system.

Rumor has it that Justin Upton is on the trade market, and Arizona wants a starting pitcher, relief pitcher, and outfielder in return.
If I'm the Yankees, I'm giving them Joba Chamberlain, Brett Gardner, and Ivan Nova. NOW.

Tiger Woods finishes 2010 without a victory.
Get used to it, folks. He will never be the same golfer again. Also, Jack Nicklaus' major record just might be safe.

The Devils' woes continue.
Lou Lamoriello is hailed as a genius, but did you know that in six seasons since the lockout, the Devils have only won two playoff series, while the hated Rangers have won two AFTER the fact, and once at New Jersey's expense? Just sayin'.

Brett Favre's 2011 Dog-and-Pony show is already underway.
He tells the NFL Network's Adam Schefter last week that he is done for good after this season. Sure you are, Brett.

The Cam Newton controversy gets bigger and bigger every week.
You know what the sad thing is? He is most definetly not the only college athlete that has pulled the alleged stunts he has.

And my non-sports thought of the Week:
From the Only in America department: Sarah Palin's new reality show was the highest rated program in the history of the TLC channel. Are people in this country so uneducated and brain-dead that they have to make themselves feel better by watching an hour dedicated to a politician that makes George W. Bush look like a genius?


NFL Picks for Week 11 (1-3 last week, 6-10 overall)
Atl -3 over STL
NE -3 over Ind
DAL -7 over Det
Oak +8 over PIT

NFL Midseason Report

I have been watching this sport for almost 20 years now, and I can honestly say this has been the most unpredictable NFL season in years. Basically this NFL season is like a blind date. It will either be incredibly bad or incredibly great. The girl could be pure gold or a total psycho. One week, a team could be showered with accolades and crowned the next Super Bowl champion. The next week it will be ridiculed left and right and calls from angry fans to sports radio stations calling for the coach's head fly left and right. But then again, who has a stable relationship anymore?

But if anything else, I've learned that the NFL season flys by like no other sport in the world. The baseball and hockey regular seasons are grueling, often boring marathons. The NFL season ends in the blink of an eye. We've already reached the halfway point of the season, and like a bad relationship, it's time to give praise but take a lot of shots at the same time. And for a diehard NFL fan like myself, I wouldn't have it any other way. Here's my awards, wrist slaps, and 2nd half predictions for this grueling relationship.

Biggest Surprise: AFC West
If you had told me that by Week 10 the CHIEFS and RAIDERS would reign supreme in the AFC West, Lamar Hunt would roll over in his grave and I'd advise you and Al Davis to seek some counseling. But it's true. Kansas City has emerged as a playoff contender due to outstanding running from Jamal Charles and Thomas Jones, and big plays from Matt Cassel. Not to mention their defense has staked its claim to being one of the best in the league this year. The Raiders, while half as talented, have recieved outstanding play from quarterback Jason Campbell, and the team seems to have shaken off the stench left behind by the JaMarcus Russell epic fail. Even Darrius Heyward-Bey (yeah, him) has stepped up. But the key behind the revival of the Silver and Black has been the play of the league's #2 rushing offense with a breakout year from Darren McFadden) and #3 pass defense, led by Nnamdi Asomugha. This all being said, expect a revival of the Chargers and eventual overtaking of both teams by the Bolts by the end of the season. But the revival of two old AFL rivals makes for a nice first-half story.

Biggest Disappointment: Dallas Cowboys
I was going to lump the Minnesota Vikings into this category as well, but after all the drama surrounding Mr. Favre and Mr. Moss and Mr. Childress, they saved their season with a dramatic comeback against Arizona last Sunday and set themselves up for a possible 2nd half surge. But wasn't this supposed to be the year Jerry Jones got a Super Bowl in his own back yard? Wasn't this supposed to be the year Tony Romo rose to the elite? Wasn't this supposed to be the year the Cowboys broke through with their sixth Super Bowl title, proving Wade Phillips could win? Guess what, Cowboy haters? CELEBRATE! The 'Boys are 1-7, Jones had to fire a head coach within the regular season for the first time after Sunday's 45-7 disgrace in Green Bay, Romo is possibly out for the season, and the team is not inspired to even leave the locker room on Sundays. You could point the finger at the coach, the owner, or the players, but the truth is you should point the finger at the business model of the Cowboys: make money, lots and lots of money, and pray the team on the field delivers a Super Bowl. Major changes are in store for this franchise.

Best Team
Last week it was the Patriots. The week before it was the Jets. The week before it was the Steelers. Week before the Ravens. Week beforrrreeee......
In other words, take your pick. There are no elite teams in the pack of simply good to very good teams in the league after four weeks. They are as follows: The Jets, Patriots, Ravens, Steelers, Giants, Eagles, Packers, Saints, and Falcons. That's a heckofalota teams right there. As per the theme of this season in my intro, you just don't know week after week.

Worst Team
Tie between the Bills and Cowboys. The Cowboys for the reasons explained above, and the Bills simply because they are 0-8. However, the Bills come to play week after week, and are no pushover. They will eventually get a win as long as Ryan Fitzpatrick plays out of his mind. The Cowboys simply don't compete. So if you put a gun to my head, I'd lean toward Dallas. God, it feels good to be a Cowboy hater these days.

Best Player
Once again, it is Mr. Manning from Indianapolis. His offensive weapons have been decimated by injuries. His favorite target, Dallas Clark, is out for the season, and arguably the poor man's Wes Welker, Austin Collie, is hurt once again. Other than Reggie Wayne, his options are the overrated Pierre Garcon, Blair White, and Jacob Tamme. Strikes a lot of fear in your heart, doesn't it? But of course, it is Peyton's place, and he is the glue, the heart, the soul, the foundation, and the infrastructure of the Colts. Without him, they are nothing. He is showing why once again.
Honorable mentions: Tom Brady, Clay Matthews, Eli Manning, Michael Vick, Matt Ryan, Chris Johnson, Arian Foster.

Worst Player
Randy Moss. He is already on his third team this season. The circumstances behind his departure from the Patriots were simply business. The circumstances behind his departure from the Vikings are simply despicable. Whatever the situations, Moss has simply quit on two different teams this year. If he is quitting on Tom Brady and Brett Favre, how in the world can Vince Young or Kerry Collings possibly make him happy?

Best Coach
Tom Coughlin, Giants. After a 1-2 start from the Giants, Coughlin survived calls from the media and fans for his head and enormous pressure from within to lead the G-Men to the top of the NFC and a 6-2 record. Coughlin gets beaten and tortured in the media day in and day out, and is roundly criticized by fans, but he continues to go about his business with class and dignity, and has not only saved his job, but put New York in position for a Super Bowl run. Honorable mention: Mike Smith, Falcons; Mike McCarthy, Packers; John Harbaugh, Ravens; Rex Ryan, Jets; Tom Cable, Raiders; Todd Haley, Chiefs.

Worst Coach
Now that Wade Phillips is out of the picture, the overwhelming choice is Brad Childress. Amid in-fighting with his recievers, conflicts with ownership, questionable play calling, and an overall mediocre record, Chilly is the next to go with one more bad loss.

Breakout Player
If you drafted Arian Foster of the Texans for your fantasy team, you look like an absolute genius. Foster has established himself as an elite running back in the NFL, leading the league in rushing (864 yards) and touchdowns (10), including 231 yards and 3 TD's on opening day. Honorable mentions: Darren McFadden, Peyton Hillis, Kenny Britt.

Top Storylines for the Second Half

1. Can the Vikings rally for a playoff spot? Yes, but if any only if: the ancient Favre can stay upright, Brad Childress can get out of his own way, and they can beat the Bears and Packers the next two weeks. The Randy Moss drama ended, and the Brett Favre sexting drama appears to be on the shelf for now. Is this Favre's last hurrah? Please. But if so, and we're not sure, he will want to go out with a bang. They will be dangerous in the second half.

2. Can the Chiefs or Raiders or both make the playoffs? I think the Raiders will fall just short, but I believe the Chiefs are talented enough and hungry enough to squeak in. I believe the Chargers will end up winning the AFC West despite another mediocre start, but in a wide-open AFC playoff picture, it's possible Kansas City can sneak in.

3. Can Donovan McNabb lead the Redskins to the playoffs? McNabb's benching by coach Mike Shanahan in Detroit created unnecessary controversy in the Nation's Capital. With the Giants pulling away and Eagles showing signs of a playoff team, the time is now for both to co-exist and guide their new team to the playoffs. It won't be easy, though.

4. Can the Houston Texans finally take that next step? It's still too difficult to tell. They have all the talent in the world on the offensive side of the football, but it's the defense that has prevented Houston from taking that next step. Betty White could throw for 500 yards against that secondary, and how much longer can Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson, and Arian Foster survive shootout after shootout? I still say they make it in.

5. Will the NFC West champion have a sub-.500 record? It would be sad yet fascinating at the same time. Any one of the four teams can still win this awful, awful division. Imagine, for instance, the 49ers fighting their way to a 7-9 record, finishing tied for first with Seattle. But by virtue of a tiebreaker, they miss out on the division title? I believe the division winner, no matter whom it is, will finish 7-9.

And now, my favorite part of this unhealthy relationship: the 2nd half predictions!

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Sam Bradford, Rams
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Ndamukong Suh, Lions
Offensive Player of the Year: Arian Foster, Texans
Defensive Player of the Year: Clay Matthews, Packers
Coach of the Year: Todd Haley, Chiefs
Most Valuable Player: Peyton Manning, Colts

Playoff Predictions
Seeds in ( )
AFC East: Jets (2)
AFC North: Steelers (1)
AFC South: Colts (3)
AFC West: Chargers (4)
AFC Wild Cards: Patriots (5) and Texans (6)
NFC East: Giants (1)
NFC North: Packers (3)
NFC South: Saints (2)
NFC West: Seahawks (4)
NFC Wild Cards: Falcons (5) and Eagles (6)

First Round
Colts 30, Texans 24
Patriots 20, Chargers 18
Packers 27, Eagles 21
Falcons 37, Seahawks 14

Divisional Round
Steelers 17, Patriots 14
Jets 23, Colts 21
Giants 30, Falcons 27
Packers 35, Saints 28

Conference Championships
Steelers 24, Jets 14
Giants 28, Packers 23

Super Bowl
Steelers 31, Giants 24


Picks for Week 10 (1-3 last week, 5-7 overall)

NYG -15 over Dal
Min -1 over CHI
ATL -2 over Bal
Hou +1 over JAX

Random Thoughts from the Passionate Sports Fan's Mind

Joe Girardi gets a 3 year, $9M extension from the Yankees.
What, Stump Merrill wasn't available? Guarantee at least two huge games will be blown next season by the MicromanaGirardi.

Kristen Lee rips into New York fans.
Not that I condone the behavior of the New York fans, but Mrs. Lee: do you remember a little place called Philadelphia? Tell us a story about the fans there! Bottom line (no pun intended): degenerate fans exist in ALL ballparks, and your husband, Cliff, will take the contract with the most $$!

The Giants and Jets currently own the best records in their respective conferences.
I STILL think there will be no Big Apple Bowl. Take it to the bank.

Tony Romo is probably out for the season.
You never wish for anyone to get hurt, but if you are a Cowboy hater, there was no sweeter sight than Romo lying on the Cowboys Stadium turf, symbolizing the end of Dallas' season.

The Miami Heat lose their first game of the Miami Thrice era in embarrassing fashion.
Yeah, I STILL don't care about the NBA.

The San Francisco Giants lead the World Series 2 games to none.
Texas is NOT, I repeat, NOT done. Don't be surprised if they win three in a row in Arlington.

Mets hire Sandy Alderson as their new GM.
Just hope, Met fans, he doesn't hire Wally Backman as manager, or for that matter, Joe Torre.

The Devils have the worst record in the NHL by Halloween.
It's still very early, but how's that Kovalchuk deal looking, Lou? Just a reminder: 15 years. Enjoy!

And my non-sports thought of the week:
Do any of you gullible fools believe a Republican-controlled Congress will alleviate our country's problems? If so, just vote for Sarah Palin in 2012 and prove to me how much trouble we are in.



Week 8 NFL Picks (2-2 in Week 7, 2-2 overall)

Pit +1 over NO
DET -2 1/2 over Was
KC -7 1/2 over Buf
Mia +1 1/2 over CIN